Allison realized getting to the surface wasn’t really what she wanted to do, especially with Tyler still on the ship. She sighed and went to find food. The mess was packed. She hit it right at their evening mealtime. She picked up a tray and walked along the line picking out various things she’d grown to like during her stay on the ship. She found a table that had recently emptied and slowly ate her food. She could have probably sat down at any table and been accepted here. Unlike school. She pondered why she found more acceptance amongst a race of dragon-people than her own. She overheard much of the conversation. The crew were eager to get back to League Space and were frustrated by further delays. Allison ended up having three servings before heading out.
She made her way to the medical bay. Tyler was still unconscious, but he wasn’t attached to any physical monitors. The bed had a scanner displaying Tyler’s vitals and brain waves. Not that Allison could understand half of it. She was no doctor. She wrapped her fingers around his hand and leaned her chin on the raised side of his bed.
“Sorry, I never wanted to hurt you. I shouldn’t have let your father think Keira was dead, you wouldn’t be here. It’s my fault.”
Futara put a hand on Allison’s shoulder.
“Yes, that is it, stimulation is the key.”
Allison sighed.
“I don’t think he wants it from me.”
Futara patted Allison’s shoulder.
“Battlelord, his brain waves are telling me, he wants you. Keep it up. I’ll have a seat brought to you.”
Futara walked off to tend to more patients. Eventually a tech came by with a stool. Allison took a seat and settled in. She wrapped her hand around Tyler’s hand once again. She wasn’t sure what else to do.
“Come back to me Tyler. I’m not upset you shot me.”
Allison sighed and leaned her chin on her forearm. She glanced back when she heard a commotion at the med-bay’s entrance. Kuvarn, along with two armed guards and Keira entered. Futara had gone off duty by this time, so the other med tech greeted them and guided them to Tyler. He scanned Keira while they walked.
“Your wounds and surgical incisions are healing very well. I predict very little if any scarring. Which after your incarceration should be a small matter to correct. Here is your brother. I am afraid we have very little to report on his condition. The doctor has corrected his congenital defects and repaired the damage from the Battlelord’s lifesaving measures, as well as the associated oxygen deprivation. It takes time for the rebuilt neural pathways to reintegrate.”
Kuvarn looked down at Keira.
“Do I have your word of honor you will seek no harm to those here or yourself?”
Keira nodded. Kuvarn motioned to one of the guards they removed Keira’s binders. Kuvarn motioned for Keira to join her brother. She rushed over and took Tyler’s other hand.
“Tyler, its Keira. I’m back. I missed you.”
Tears dripped down Keira’s face. Allison looked across to her. She was the same complexion as Tyler. She had her hair in long tight curls. There wasn’t much change in her facial injuries. She didn’t seem to be in too much pain though. Keira’s brown eyes met Allison’s.
“You really do care about him.”
Allison nodded. She wasn’t sure what to say to Keira. There was no way she believed a sixteen-year-old girl would attack a dome of five hundred thousand innocent people. Allison knew she’d never do it, no matter what her orders were. She also knew there was no way she could have done what her grandfather had done. Then she suddenly realized she’d killed fourteen billion Sal’nash in an instant based on the information she had available. She also realized she would have done the same to the Silwrath if she thought it would save humanity. She sighed. She could be wrong. She hoped she wasn’t for Tyler’s sake.
The pair sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity. Each holding Tyler’s hand. Another disturbance disrupted the peace of the med bay when the door opened, and Tyler’s mother rushed in. The Silwrath guard escorting her didn’t make a move to stop her. Her eyes were on Tyler the whole way. The moment she reached the bed she put a hand on his head.
“My baby.”
She glanced at Keira but promptly ignored her to wrap her arm around Allison’s shoulders and kiss her on the head.
“Thank you. The investigator told me what you did for Tyler.”
Allison put her other hand on Tyler’s mother’s hand that was wrapped around her shoulders.
“Here, take my seat. I’ll give you guys some privacy.”
Allison stood up. Keira was staring at her mother.
“Mom, why won’t you even look at me?”
Her mother didn’t look up.
“It was better when you were gone, you did this to your brother. You and your father and his obsession. Go back to your cell where you belong. I have no daughter. Not after what you did on Mars.”
Allison watched as Keira was shattered into a million emotional pieces. Her mother may as well have stabbed her in the heart. Allison motioned to Keira who stumbled away from the bed in shock. She wasn’t sure what to do so she just hugged the young woman who less then twenty-four hours before she’d been locked in mortal combat with. Keira’s whole body was shuddering with sobs.
“Shh, she’s just upset. Tyler will wake up, and she’ll calm down. Come with me.”
Allison released the embrace and turned to Kuvarn.
“Kuvarn, I’ll take responsibility for Keira, I think some food and company will assist her to be more helpful. She should not go back to the cells.”
Kuvarn bowed his head.
“Please, Battlelord, do as you may, I will arrange quarters for her and a guard.”
Allison motioned to the door.
“Keira please, let’s go to the mess and get you some food.”
Allison led Keira to the mess. She led the young woman through the food line and indicated what to go for and what to avoid. The pair sat down at a table. It was early breakfast by now and the Silwrath were filing in. Allison was forced to greet several who acknowledged her presence. Keira had obviously not eaten well recently because she ate like she hadn’t eaten in weeks. Allison escorted her to get a second helping. It was almost three quarters of an hour before Keira spoke.
“If you believe I was involved in the attack on Mars, why would you sit with me?”
Allison looked around at the full mess.
“I realized by Tyler’s bed that given the right circumstances I could be convinced wiping out an entire planet was a good idea. All life, everything. Then I realized I could have done that to the dome. I’m the same age you would have been. I don’t know what you were told, or if you were even involved, it’s not for me to decide. I just know if my mom told me she had no daughter I would be absolutely destroyed.”
Allison motioned to the room.
“I killed fourteen billion sentients. To the Silwrath that makes me a hero. If you were involved in the Mars dome… it made you a monster. It is all about perception.”
Allison waved her hand.
“Ignore me I’m making no sense.”
Keira looked at her empty tray for several minutes then to Allison.
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“How do you live with what you’ve done then?”
Allison shrugged.
“I don’t? I don’t know. I still have no idea if what I did was right or wrong. The System’s Alliance and The League of Sentient Races… They believe what I did was right, but they don’t have to live with the choice. I don’t even have the, I was ordered to do it to fall back on. I just have to have faith that my decision was the right one. Who knows, one day I might be the one people look at and call a monster. Honestly, I just try not to think about it. It just upsets me.”
Keira looked like she was emotionally crushed all over again.
“My mother looked at me like I was a stranger. Like I was a monster. Maybe I am.”
Allison shook her head.
“No, you are still a kid, I have to believe that counts for something, because if it doesn’t then what am I?”
“No what you said by my cell, it was right.”
Allison waved her hands dismissively.
“Ignore that, I was just trying to get someone to talk to the Investigator. It was an interrogation tactic.”
Keira took a drink of her juice.
“What does he want to know? He just told me I could see my brother and mother. No offer, no questions.”
Allison folded her hands.
“Look, I need to tell you everything you say and do in front of me is being recorded before you say anything. You’re not allowed an advocate in the LSR until the trial starts but you are in the SA.”
Keira nodded.
“I understand. What did he want to know?”
“His main concern is your motive for attacking the Embassy. It will inform his charges. If he has to assume one, well it could be as bad as you’re trying to kill their citizens, or a terror attack.”
Keira didn’t look at Allison when she answered.
“My father wanted to assassinate you publicly. When we realized the Gala was closed down he said he didn’t care and just wanted to hurt your grandfather.”
Allison frowned.
“Well, the Dark Mother once said: ‘If someone isn’t out to kill you, you’re not trying hard enough’.”
Keira touched her cross pendant.
“Do you believe in her, truly believe?”
Allison shrugged.
“Up until a few days ago, I’d tell you no. I had… an experience recently it changed my mind. You Christians would call it a ‘Come to Jesus’ moment. It made me realize I don’t know anything about anything when it comes to religion. I do know that she would never demand I kill anyone in her name. I also know there is no way Jesus would demand it either. So, I do not understand the war, why it happened or why people care so much about religion at all.”
“You’re close with Tyler, if you believe I didn’t do this… he’ll believe you, right? How do I convince you?
Allison sighed.
“Submit to questioning and scanning by Investigator Kuvarn. Silver scaled Silwrath are Telepaths. They can scan your mind and pull memories out. They can also tell if you’re lying without an invasive scan. If he tells me, you are innocent… I will make sure your mom and Tyler understand that.”
Keira’s shoulders slumped.
“I’ve done other things…”
Allison held up her hand.
“The investigator could find every single one of your deep dark secrets. You do not have to consent to the scan, but he doesn’t need anything besides permission from your parent to question you. So, he’ll figure out the truth eventually. Andy will talk. He turned on you guys the moment I threatened him. Ask yourself, what would Jesus do, the real one, not the one your father’s church made up.”
Keira nodded.
“I’ll answer his questions… I’ll let him scan me if it can prove I didn’t do it.”
Allison stood up and gathered their trays.
“Well let’s go then.”
The pair made their way to the medical bay. Allison pulled Kuvarn aside.
“She will talk, she’ll consent to a scan, so long as you also question and scan her for the Mars Dome attack and are willing to provide testimony to a System’s Alliance prosecutor and court.”
Kuvarn smiled.
“Impressive. I can make that agreement. Justice being served to the right perpetrators is my purpose in life.”
Allison motioned towards Tyler’s mother.
“I’ll speak to her mother and convince her to join you.”
She moved over to the bed and took Tyler’s hand. She looked at his mother who looked heartbroken.
“Mrs. Grant?”
The woman looked up at Allison.
“Yes, Allison?”
Allison glanced at Keira and Kuvarn.
“Mrs. Grant, the Silwrath need your assistance. The LSR has laws preventing them from questioning minors when a legal guardian or parent is not present. Keira would like to answer questions and consent to a scan by a telepath. She is not allowed too; You would need to authorize it and be present. I know you’re upset with her, but I think you need to hear what she has to say. Please understand that the Investigator is an honorable man, and he will find the truth of everything, he can detect lies. If you want to know for sure Keira is guilty of the monstrous things you’ve been told she has done, this is your chance. It is also her last chance to do the right thing. Please don’t rob her of it. I will stay here with Tyler.”
Mrs. Grant nodded and stood up. She wiped away her tears. Allison took up position on the stool and held Tyler’s hand again. Kuvarn spoke.
“Battlelord, please, we require your presence as a witness to the inquiry.”
Allison sighed and released Tyler’s hand before joining the group. Kuvarn took them to a conference room. It was likely used for small briefings. Kuvarn sat Allison down at the head of the table. He motioned to the guards.
“You may leave. I am sure the Battlelord is more than enough security for this.”
The guards bowed their heads and slammed their fists to their chest then left. Keira and her mother both visibly relaxed. Silwrath were very imposing in their armor. Kuvarn interlaced his clawed fingers and spoke to no one in particular.
“This is the first interrogation of Keira Violet Torban in relation to the attack on the LSR’s embassy on Eden Prime and an attack on our allies, the System’s Alliance in their home system which resulted in the deaths of some five hundred thousand non-combatants. Present are the suspect’s mother, Mrs. Delilah Grant as her legal guardian and Battlelord Allison Wanjala, Duchess of the Qual’sa, Ensign of the System’s Alliance Armed Forces, as a witness for the System’s Alliance.”
He looked at Delilah and bowed his head.
“Mrs. Grant do you consent to the questioning and scanning of your daughter for the intents of this investigation and only this investigation?”
Delilah spoke clearly.
“I do.”
His eyes shifted to Keira.
“Do you, Keira Violet Torban, with knowledge that your legal guardian has given her authorization for this questioning and scanning, consent to said questioning and scanning, knowing that the only information I am legally allowed to divulge under severe penalty of law is in regard to this current investigation?”
Keira nodded. Kuvarn shook his head.
“Please, I need you to give verbal confirmation that you understand and consent.”
Keira spoke clearly.
“I consent.”
Kuvarn nodded.
“Thank you, now, please, tell us what the objective of the raid on the LSR embassy was?”
Keira didn’t look up.
“The public assassination of Allison Wanjala in retaliation for her grandfather’s attacks on Tritan, and allied colonies.”
Kuvarn pointed at Allison.
“The assassination of the Battelord present in this questioning?”
Keira nodded.
“Yes.”
Kuvarn frowned, his wings twitched. Allison didn’t quite like that reaction.
“What was your part in this conspiracy to assassinate the Battlelord?”
Keira kept her eyes on the table. Delilah was staring at Keira in disbelief. Allison knew that look well; Her mother would get it when she was about to make her regret ever being born.
“I was supposed to use my skills to break into the embassy, disable the fusion generator and break into the various rooms. I was supposed to disable security.”
Kuvarn motioned toward Allison.
“So, you were going to take no part in the actual attempt on the Battlelord’s life?”
Keira shook her head. Kuvarn frowned.
“Assassinations are cowardly acts. There is no honor in them. Within the LSR they are considered one of the highest crimes. Especially of a high ranking official or noble. The Battlelord is now both. To even plot such a thing, let alone attempt it…”
He shook his head.
“The punishment for this will be severe I am afraid. Your cooperation with no considerations on our part will be taken into account. If you testify against your fellow conspirators and taking into account you are a minor, we can mitigate the penalties. A good word from the Battlelord can also go a long way with the council.”
Allison raised an eyebrow.
“The council? Not a judge?”
Kuvarn nodded.
“I am afraid such charges are high crimes, therefore it will be the high council that passes judgement.”
Allison frowned.
“Now, on to the questions regarding the attack on Mars. What was your part in it?”
Keira looked at him.
“I had no part in it, I was on Earth at school.”
Kuvarn nodded.
“Do you have any knowledge of who was involved in the attack?”
Keira looked away.
“No.”
Kuvarn frowned.
“Keira, full and truthful cooperation is what is required for lenience. What do you believe your father’s part was in it?”
Keira tapped her fingers on the table. Her mother smacked the back of her head. Allison was well aware of how that felt.
“You tell him what he wants to know, everything. You are in serious trouble.”
Keira looked up at her mother, tears were dripping down her face. Those words and the smack on her head were the first time her mother had directly acknowledged her presence beyond telling her she had no daughter. The first signs her mother actually still cared about her. Delilah pointed at Kuvarn.
“Tell him everything you know.”
Keira looked at her mother then to the Investigator.
“I overheard my dad talking about something big just before the bombing. He was talking about trying to get more FTL By Product and how to get it into a dome. I didn’t know what it meant. He’s never said he had anything to do with it but… I… now I think he did.”
Kuvarn nodded.
“Thank you. With my scan, and your answers I have enough. Please consider making a full confession to the Battlelord, in my presence. If you do, I will speak on your behalf to the council, tell them you are remorseful, and that when it comes time for your punishment that any time you serve should be done within the System’s Alliance so that your family who were not involved in these terrible affairs may visit you.”
Allison held up her hands.
“I can’t allow that; She’s allowed an advocate within the System’s Alliance. I can’t give her any promises or anything about leniency. Everything I see and hear is recorded and it is irrefutable evidence. Because I’m a military officer I am official representative of the System’s Alliance. I’m bound by same restrictions as police officer. She has to be given an advocate and know her rights.”
He looked at Delilah and Keira.
“I believe that would be an advisement of your rights. Do you consent to speaking with the Battlelord in relation to your other crimes, knowing your rights and that you are being recorded?”
Delilah nodded.
“She does, and she will if she ever wants to come home again.”
Keira spoke quietly.
“I consent.”
Allison sighed. She couldn’t refuse this; She’d be in serious trouble with the System’s Alliance Internal Security and the Military if she had a chance for a full confession in front of a literal mind reader. She motioned with her hands.
“Well, let’s get started then.”